Deep water rescue

I was four years old when my Uncle saved me from drowning in a lake at a family gathering. One moment I was hanging out with my sister and cousin by the jetty; seconds later I was metres offshore and fully submerged in water. Had I been able to utter my distress, perhaps I would’ve cried out like Peter had after he became afraid of the boisterous wind at the Sea of Galilee. Beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:30)

Fortunately, my rescue wasn’t dependent on me appealing for help or even knowing the whereabouts of my rescuer. This was also true of the disciples, as they endured being tossed by waves for many hours. Jesus wasn’t in the boat with them. He had stayed on land to send the multitudes away and to be alone to pray (Matthew 14:22). In the isolation of the raging sea, the disciples gave less thought to the whereabouts of Jesus and fixed their eyes on the storm. It probably didn’t occur to them to appeal for help. Jesus of course, never lost sight of them. He went out to them by their side to aid them, even as they mistook him for a ghost.

“And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out..” Mark 6: 47-49

It’s encouraging to read this text and see God’s willingness to rescue even as we’re turned away from him. Also assuring is how He’s in control when trouble swiftly closes in. Still, there are other times when drowning in trouble feels more like slowly sinking into a deep mire.

In Psalm 69:4, King David gives account to the trouble he was enduring from all those who unjustly hated him. This reproach was due to his zeal for the Lord’s house and desire to honour God. Among those who disapproved of him were mighty men who sought out David’s destruction. This deep mire of trial and difficulty compelled David to cry out to God:

“Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.” Psalm 69:1-2  

The visceral depiction of sinking to where there is no foothold, shows the great stress that David was under. His heart was burdened with fear, anguish and rejection. He felt the relentless threat from countless adversaries. Being unable to stand firmly, David surrendered the heaviness of his burdens to the Lord:

“O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord of Israel. For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that dishonor has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother’s sons. For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach. When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them. I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me.” Psalm 69:5-12

Pouring his heart out and confessing his own failings allowed David to turn away from the danger of these very real problems, and towards God’s awaiting kindness and mercy. He was able to trade the rejection of men for God’s graciousness and acceptance. Notice how specific David was in his appeal to the Lord for rescue and consider the following text.

Appealing to God: “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.” (Psalm 69:13)

Asking for speedy deliverance: “Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies!” (v16-18)

Pleading for compassion: “You know my reproach, and my shame and my dishonor; my foes are all known to you. Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.” (v19-20) Remember to fear not; God is always there for us to call on in any situation. He is our great helper. For they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (Mark 6:49-50)  

Remember that Jesus invites us to turn to him, and away from our burdens. And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. He said, “Come.” (Mark 6:28, 29)

Remember that God calls us to cast our burdens on Him, and that he will sustain us. Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22).